Study for Changes in utilizing Nikko as a Field recreational area from theview point of trends of Policy and ociety.(1931-1950)

Abstract

After national parks were set by law, the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered each prefecture to systematize national parks and to undertake establishment of prefectural parks. However it could not be accomplished until 1957.
In 20 years (1931-1950), two periods were considered to be serious with regard to landscape protection. One was from 1931 when National Park Law was established to 1934 when national parks were appointed. The other was from 1937 to 1945. In both years no administrative activities for natural parks were conducted. However in Nikko, the former period is considered to be not from 1931, but from 1911 to 1934. In this period the number of tourists from foreign countries increased and the Japanese travel income reached record high and people were getting more and more concerned with development for the travel business. Sightseeing flights in Chuzenzi-lake started its operation, in Kinsei toge roads were planned to be constructed and its survey was conducted. Various means of transportation achieved remarkable improvement, there was a direct way from Asakusa to Nikkoyumoto. However still development was strictly limited and natural protection was voluntarily performed. 1937-1945, as it was after establishment of national parks, utilization of Nikko was making progress. But on the other hand, the wartime political vacuum for managing natural parks caused obstacles in landscape protection. The improvement in transportation promoted popularization of utilizing landscape and winter sports, and the people in the district put great emphasis on the development for profitable travel related business.